Now is the time to invest in your online security

From cars to mobile phones, technology has made our lives easier in so many ways. But inevitably, a new world means a new set of dangers. One of these is cybercrime. And as someone involved in online transactions, this is something you’ll need to be smart about. In this article, we’ll explain what an SSL certificate is, why online security will help your business – and why you need to get one soon.

What is SSL?

SSL stands for ‘Secure Sockets Layer’. Simply put, it’s to do with how websites interact with customer data – both sharing and protecting it. That could include credit card details, personal customer data and even your own password. The SSL is designed to protect all this data – to make sure it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

What is an SSL certificate?

It’s a certificate that you can buy to show that it’s safe to browse your site – and book rooms on it. Ever seen that little padlock icon that appears in your browser for some sites? That appears because the website has bought an SSL certificate.

Why do I need it?

There are various good reasons to get an SSL certificate.

The first is easy: if your site is SSL-protected, it’ll be less likely to suffer attacks involving misuse of data. When issues like this do occur, they can have a significant impact on your finances and your reputation.

Secondly, if customers see the padlock next to your URL, they’ll be much more likely to feel reassured enough to visit the site. This is important because without visitors, there are no bookings.

The benefits of the padlock go beyond just customers, too. Google now includes website security in its search results algorithm. The search engine wants to reward websites that users can trust. Now if you have an SSL certificate, you’ll appear higher in search results.

Finally – and this is why an SSL certificate is particularly relevant now – Google Chrome will soon flag websites that don’t have this certificate. It’s for the same reasons as the point above – it’s in Google’s interests to direct their users towards sites that will be safe.

So as of July 2018, any website without an SSL certificate will be flagged to internet users as ‘Not secure’. This means that now’s the time to make the small investment.

How can I get an SSL certificate?

There are a lot of providers of certificates. We’d recommend simply searching for SSL certificates online and picking one that suits your budget. 

If you have a WebDirect website for your property, you can learn more about SSL certificates for your website through this WebDirect help center article.

With the new measures coming soon, there’s never been a better time to invest in your online security.

While this may seem like just another bit of administrative work, it’s actually a good thing for everyone. Safer transactions mean happier customers and happier businesses. If you can demonstrate to potential guests that your website is safe to browse, you won’t miss out on revenue.